Plans to increase charges at council car parks by an average of 20p have been agreed by members and have been included in the draft budget.

But local businesses have reacted angrily to the plans, saying it will deter shoppers from the city centre.

The council says it is the first rise in two years and extra revenue generated will be ploughed back into public services.

Business leaders though are warning that it will damage trade and drive motorists and shoppers to other areas, like Cheshire Oaks in Elles-mere Port.

Stephen Welch, chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce, warned that any further parking increases would potentially damage business at a critical time in the calendar.

He said: "It is difficult for the city council to justify these increases which, in any event, owe less to the real need to hike car parking charges than they do to ease the problems in balancing its budget.

"Once again it's hitting the business owner and at a time when there is a definite fragility in the overall business community.

"And remember it is only a couple of weeks ago that an independent report was published that not only highlighted that car parking costs in Chester are already high but also that Chester city centre is losing out to the like of Broughton Park, Cheshire Oaks and our traditional competitor towns."

But Coun Reggie Jones, portfolio holder for money and property, rejected these claims and said that money raised would improve the shop-ping experience for visitors.

The council says charges compare favourably with other small cities' rates.